1 Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said,
2 Should a wise man utter vain knowledge, and fill his belly with the east wind?
3 Should he reason with unprofitable talk? or with speeches wherewith he can do no good?
4 Yea, thou castest off fear, and restrainest prayer before God.
5 For thy mouth uttereth thine iniquity, and thou choosest the tongue of the crafty.
6 Thine own mouth condemneth thee, and not I: yea, thine own lips testify against thee.
7 [Art] thou the first man [that] was born? or wast thou made before the hills?
8 Hast thou heard the secret of God? and dost thou restrain wisdom to thyself?
9 What knowest thou, that we know not? [what] understandest thou, which [is] not in us?
10 With us [are] both the grayheaded and very aged men, much elder than thy father.
11 [Are] the consolations of God small with thee? is there any secret thing with thee?
12 Why doth thine heart carry thee away? and what do thy eyes wink at,
13 That thou turnest thy spirit against God, and lettest [such] words go out of thy mouth?
14 What [is] man, that he should be clean? and [he which is] born of a woman, that he should be righteous?
15 Behold, he putteth no trust in his saints; yea, the heavens are not clean in his sight.
16 How much more abominable and filthy [is] man, which drinketh iniquity like water?
17 I will shew thee, hear me; and that [which] I have seen I will declare;
18 Which wise men have told from their fathers, and have not hid [it]:
19 Unto whom alone the earth was given, and no stranger passed among them.
20 The wicked man travaileth with pain all [his] days, and the number of years is hidden to the oppressor.
21 A dreadful sound [is] in his ears: in prosperity the destroyer shall come upon him.
22 He believeth not that he shall return out of darkness, and he is waited for of the sword.
23 He wandereth abroad for bread, [saying], Where [is it]? he knoweth that the day of darkness is ready at his hand.
24 Trouble and anguish shall make him afraid; they shall prevail against him, as a king ready to the battle.
25 For he stretcheth out his hand against God, and strengtheneth himself against the Almighty.
26 He runneth upon him, [even] on [his] neck, upon the thick bosses of his bucklers:
27 Because he covereth his face with his fatness, and maketh collops of fat on [his] flanks.
28 And he dwelleth in desolate cities, [and] in houses which no man inhabiteth, which are ready to become heaps.
29 He shall not be rich, neither shall his substance continue, neither shall he prolong the perfection thereof upon the earth.
30 He shall not depart out of darkness; the flame shall dry up his branches, and by the breath of his mouth shall he go away.
31 Let not him that is deceived trust in vanity: for vanity shall be his recompence.
32 It shall be accomplished before his time, and his branch shall not be green.
33 He shall shake off his unripe grape as the vine, and shall cast off his flower as the olive.
34 For the congregation of hypocrites [shall be] desolate, and fire shall consume the tabernacles of bribery.
35 They conceive mischief, and bring forth vanity, and their belly prepareth deceit.
Overview of Job Chapter 15
Job Chapter 15 presents a critical dialogue between Eliphaz the Temanite and Job. This chapter is part of the larger discourse in the Book of Job, which explores themes of suffering, divine justice, and the nature of God. Eliphaz accuses Job of wrongdoing and asserts that his suffering is a direct consequence of his sins.
Key Themes
- The Nature of Wisdom: Eliphaz emphasizes the limitations of human wisdom compared to divine understanding.
- Accusation of Sin: Eliphaz suggests that Job’s afflictions are due to his own moral failings.
- Divine Justice: The chapter reflects the belief in retributive justice, where suffering is seen as a punishment for sin.
- Human Mortality: Eliphaz discusses the transient nature of human life and the inevitability of death.
Structure of the Chapter
- Eliphaz’s Opening Remarks (Verses 1-3):
Eliphaz begins by expressing his frustration with Job’s words, suggesting that they are unwise and unhelpful.
- Accusation of Job (Verses 4-6):
He accuses Job of undermining fear of God and suggests that Job’s own mouth condemns him.
- Appeal to Tradition (Verses 7-16):
Eliphaz appeals to the wisdom of the ancients, arguing that no one can be pure before God and that humans are inherently flawed.
- Observations on the Wicked (Verses 17-24):
He describes the fate of the wicked, emphasizing that they will ultimately face destruction and suffering.
- Conclusion on Human Condition (Verses 25-35):
Eliphaz concludes with a somber reflection on the inevitable suffering of those who oppose God, reinforcing his belief that Job’s plight is a result of his own actions.
Character Analysis
- Eliphaz the Temanite:
Eliphaz is portrayed as a traditionalist who relies heavily on experience and the wisdom of the past. His arguments are rooted in a rigid understanding of divine justice, which does not allow for the complexity of Job’s situation.
- Job:
Although Job does not speak in this chapter, his character is further developed through Eliphaz’s accusations. Job is depicted as a figure of suffering who is being unjustly judged based on the assumption of his guilt.
Theological Implications
Job Chapter 15 raises significant theological questions regarding the nature of suffering and the character of God. Eliphaz’s assertions imply a simplistic view of divine justice that does not account for the complexities of human experience. This chapter challenges readers to consider the relationship between sin, suffering, and divine retribution.
Conclusion
In summary, Job Chapter 15 serves as a critical point in the dialogue between Job and his friends, highlighting the tension between traditional beliefs about sin and suffering and the reality of Job’s experience. Eliphaz’s arguments reflect a worldview that is ultimately challenged throughout the Book of Job, inviting deeper reflection on the nature of faith, suffering, and divine justice.
